Sand sifting fish

[VippiN]

I've just set up a small tank to fill a gap in my apartment and for the first time i'm using sand instead of gravel. Currently the tank is cycling so i'm doing a lot of research into what to get for something different that takes advantage of the sand.

I've often seen sand sifting fish (putting sand in their mouth and filtering the non-edibles through their gills) at a few LFS's and i've always found them quite interesting, which brings me to this topic.

Which smaller fish (ie not much bigger than guppy size if possible) sand sifts? One other parameter is that they need to get along nicely with a bunch of Kuhlis'

Thanks!

 

[liv2padl]

you're referring to the "earth eaters" ... Geophagus and Gymnogeophagus. NONE of these fish are guppy size but rather, attain lengths of 8-10 inches at maturity.

 

[mooman]

Although blue rams are in the genus microgeophagus, literally "tiny earth eater", I've never seen too muh of this behavior from them. My apistogramma on the other hand love to sift sand (not all the time, but more than most fish).

While the shelldweller multifasciatus doesn't sift sand for feeding purposed, they do move a ton if it around as they maintain thier "shell bed". They're pretty popular around here because they reproduce readily to form colonies that can be amazingly active and interesting to watch even in small tanks. Shy at first (untill the colony starts to develop) they really "come out of their shells" after a couple months. Not super colorful (except for the most amazing blue eyes). here
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/

Google the name for tons of other info on them

 

[Teelie]

I'm getting some Stappersi myself for a 30g. If you go with shellies, do only a pair in anything under 15g or a male with several females to forum a harem.

 

[mooman]

make sure you check out specific species as some are polygamous (multis) while others are highly monogamous (brevis)